THE LINE
Director Ethan Berger’s Tribeca 2023 film THE LINE hits theaters this week. The film follows Tom, a scholarship student desperately seeking the approval of his fraternity brothers and the perks that encircle them. After starting a relationship with classmate Annabelle, a girl his peers find unsuitable, Tom finds himself trapped between tradition and danger.
The script never shies away from the cringiest of frat behavior. Don’t feel bad for your repeated eye rolls. The soundtrack is perfect for 2014.
Austin Abrams gives pledge O’Brien a much-needed vulnerability within the hyper-toxic masculinity but also counters with his own brand of hideous aggression. Much like Tom’s, his facade is more nuanced than at first glance. Abrams is great as he challenges the system. Bo Mitchell plays Tom’s roommate Mitch Miller with an infectious exuberance. He’s a hurt kid who overcompensates for not fitting in. Mitchell is spectacular.
Alex Wolff instantly became a legend in Hereditary. As Tom, he plays both sides of the card. Tom is a genuinely good person and a weak sheep, and Wolff pulls it off effortlessly by digging into Tom’s unresolved trauma. He delivers an emotional rollercoaster for the audience.
THE LINE has an authenticity that is infuriating, which is a compliment. It touches on privilege in a marvelously slick manner. The film boasts a finale that is nothing short of perfect. THE LINE is a film that every parent should watch and something every frat brother should acknowledge.
The Line Trailer:
Opens in select theaters on October 18th,
expands on October 23rd
Synopsis
The Line is a campus thriller that plunges into the dangerous world of college fraternities and blind adherence to tradition.
Alex Wolff stars as Tom, a scholarship student desperate to break free from his working-class background who is charmed by the prestigious KNA fraternity’s promises of high social status and alumni connections that open doors. But upon beginning a romance with Annabelle (Halle Bailey), a classmate outside of his social circle, and the manipulative schemes of his fraternity president (Lewis Pullman) unfolding during the hazing of new members, Tom finds himself ensnared in a perilous game of ambition and loyalty.
About the Director
Ethan Berger was born and raised in Los Angeles. He has his B.A. in Film Studies from Wesleyan University. He started his career as an editor before transitioning to writing and directing commercials. He’s made nationally televised spots for brands like Jordan Brand and Stella Artois and web spots for Nike and Intel. He was a writer and a producer on the 8-part mini-series “More Than an Athlete” for ESPN, chronicling the rise of LeBron James, Mav Carter, Rich Paul, and Randy Mims. His debut narrative The Line, which he wrote and directed, premiered at Tribeca Festival in the summer of 2023.
Director: Ethan Berger
Screenwriters: Ethan Berger, Alex Russek
Producers: Alexandre Dauman, Jack Parker, Adam Paulsen, Lije Sarki
Executive Producers: Taylor Grant, Zack Purdo, Ramanan Sivalingam, Dustin Zhang, Magnus Rausing, Ryan Alexander, Stacey Grant, Jay Van Hoy, Marc Porterfield
Cast: Alex Wolff, Lewis Pullman, Halle Bailey, Austin Abrams, Angus Cloud, Bo Mitchell, Cheri Oteri, Scoot McNairy, Denise Richards, John Malkovich
Cinematographer: Stefan Weinberger
Production Designer: Francesca Palombo
Costume Designer: Akua Murray-Adoboe
Editor: Ted Feldman
Composer: Daniel Rossen
Casting Director: Chris Freihofer
Country: United States
Language: English
Runtime: 100 minutes
Oftentimes, mothers lose their own identities tending to the needs of their families. Balancing loved ones and household management consumes who we once were and who we truly long to be. It is easy to get stuck in an endless cycle of chores and other people’s feelings. If you’re lucky enough to give yourself a voice, therein lies your truth. The film is not ultimately about puzzles, but they are a brilliant metaphor for relationships and the enigmatic ways of people. Puzzle illustrates the idea of not fitting into your expected place.
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